Kate Middleton makes ‘poignant and private’ return to hospital the place she was handled for most cancers
The Princess of Wales returned to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, west London, on Tuesday morning, where she expressed her gratitude to her medical teams
Princess Kate paid an emotional visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea where she was treated for cancer last year. On Tuesday morning, she personally thanked the staff for her care and offered support to patients undergoing treatment there.
The Kensington Palace revealed the Duchess of Cambridge underwent chemotherapy at the world-renowned centre, which had been kept under wraps until now. Kate showed up in a dark brown tartan coat combined with a burgundy polo neck and skirt. Entering the hospital, she reminisced: “I was just saying, coming in the front entrance here, having made so many quiet, private visits, actually it’s quite nice.”
Sharing time with patients and families on the ward, one woman praised her for how well she’s managing the kids, prompting a humble reply from Kate: “Oh that’s kind.” She also reflected on the diverse impact of treatments, commenting: “The treatments are really so different and so varied, it impacts families differently.”
This surprise solo engagement, marking her first official duty of 2025, struck many as an “incredibly poignant” step in Kate’s own battle and recovery journey. A Kensington Palace spokesperson stated: “The princess wanted to make the journey to both show her gratitude to the incredible team, but also highlight the world-leading care and treatment the Marsden provides.”
Kate Middleton, in a touching gesture of solidarity, made an unannounced visit to cancer patients, coinciding with the announcement that she’s now joint Royal patron of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, alongside Prince William. The role was previously held by Princess Diana, and William has been its president for years, but will now share the title with Kate.
Despite her recent health battles, the Palace confirmed that there’s no change in guidance around Kate’s gradual return to public engagements. “Today was about visiting the Marsden to reflect on her own personal journey,” said a spokesperson.
As the new patron, Kate is eager to back the Marsden’s efforts in pioneering cancer research and care, and to understand how it can help patients going forward. Just last week, Kate celebrated her 43rd birthday, receiving a heartfelt tribute from Prince William who admired her as the “most incredible wife and mother” and praised her remarkable strength over the past year.
This visit comes just before the first anniversary of her major abdominal surgery at the London Clinic on January 16, 2024. After spending nearly two weeks in hospital post-surgery, Kate faced a cancer diagnosis and began chemotherapy while recuperating at home.
William spoke out, labelling 2024 as “brutal” and likely “the hardest year” he’s ever faced, dealing with his dad, the King, battling cancer. In a heart-to-heart written note in June, the princess disclosed she was “making good progress” admitting though she had her “good days and bad days” she was “not out of the woods yet” and stared down the barrel of a few more months of treatment.
Come September, the brave princess shared that her treatment wrapped up but laid bare that she, William, and their kiddos had weathered an “incredibly tough” patch.
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